Donald Trump an ‘idiot’ chief of staff John Kelly allegedly says in new Bob Woodward book

AN explosive new book by Watergate reporter Bob Woodward claims Donald Trump described one of his senior officials as “mentally retarded” - and his staff have equally choice things to say about the president.

Staff writers

News Corp Australia NetworkSeptember 5, 20182:25pm

Donald Trump’s officials have reportedly slammed him in a new book. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

WATERGATE journalist Bob Woodward has detailed insults about US President Donald Trump’s intelligence from his own senior staff, including chief of staff John Kelly.

Mr Kelly reportedly called Mr Trump an “idiot” and said in a meeting with a small group the president was “unhinged,” according to the Washington Post, Woodward’s longtime employer, which got a copy of the 448-page book, Fear: Trump in the White House.

“He’s an idiot. It’s pointless to try to convince him of anything. He’s gone off the rails. We’re in Crazytown. I don’t even know why any of us are here. This is the worst job I’ve ever had,” Mr Kelly said at a meeting, according to Woodward.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

Mr Kelly denied the account.

“The idea I ever called the President an idiot is not true,” Mr Kelly said.

“He always knows where I stand, and he and I both know this story is total BS,” he said. “I’m committed to the President, his agenda, and our country. This is another pathetic attempt to smear people close to President Trump and distract from the administration’s many successes.”

Donald Trump and General Jim Mattis. Picture: GettySource:AFP

Defence Secretary James Mattis reportedly said Mr Trump had “the mental ability of ‘a fifth- or sixth-grader’”, after he asked what the use was of early warning systems in Alaska to identify a nuclear attack from North Korea.

The billionaire reportedly called Attorney-General Jeff Sessions “mentally retarded” for recusing himself from the Russia probe.

“He’s this dumb Southerner. … He couldn’t even be a one-person country lawyer down in Alabama,” Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump has denied allegations made about him in the book.

The already discredited Woodward book, so many lies and phony sources, has me calling Jeff Sessions “mentally retarded” and “a dumb southerner.” I said NEITHER, never used those terms on anyone, including Jeff, and being a southerner is a GREAT thing. He made this up to divide!

Meanwhile, Mr Trump’s lawyer, John Dowd, is so convinced that Mr Trump would commit perjury if he was interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller that he convinced the US president in the strongest possible terms not to testify.

“I’m not going to sit there and let him look like an idiot. And you publish that transcript, because everything leaks in Washington, and the guys overseas are going to say, ‘I told you he was an idiot. I told you he was a goddamn dumbbell. What are we dealing with this idiot for?’’

According to Woodward, Mr Mueller replied: “John, I understand.”

Mr Dowd also denied the claims in Woodward’s book saying

“I have not read Bob Woodward’s book, which appears to be the most recent in an endless cycle of accusations and misrepresentations based on anonymous statements from unknown malcontents. I do not intend to address every inaccurate statement attributed to me – but I do want to make this clear: there was no so-called ‘practice session’ or ‘re-enactment’ of a mock interview at the Special Counsel’s office,” he said. “Further, I did not refer to the President as a ‘liar’ and did not say that he was likely to end up in an ‘orange jump suit’. It was a great honor and distinct privilege to serve President Trump.”

But after hanging up, he told a senior aide: “We’re not going to do any of that. We’re going to be much more measured.”

STAFF STOLE PAPERS OFF TRUMP’S DESK TO PROTECT COUNTRY

Mr Trump’s former chief economic adviser Gary Cohn reportedly saw a letter on the president’s desk that would have withdrawn the US from a critical trade agreement with South Korea.

Woodward reports Cohn was “appalled” that Trump might sign the letter. “I stole it off his desk,” Cohn told an associate. “I wouldn’t let him see it. He’s never going to see that document. Got to protect the country.”

Former chief economic adviser Gary Cohn. Picture: SuppliedSource:AFP

Former White House staff secretary Rob Porter. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

Former staff secretary Rob Porter told Woodward that he used the same tactic of stealing papers off Mr Trump’s desk.

“A third of my job was trying to react to some of the really dangerous ideas that he had and try to give him reasons to believe that maybe they weren’t such good ideas,” said Mr Porter.

IVANKA: ‘I’LL NEVER BE A STAFFER. I AM THE FIRST DAUGHTER’

Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump reportedly clashed with many in the Trump administration, including former chief strategist, Steve Bannon.

“You’re nothing but a fucking staffer!” Bannon screamed at Ivanka at a staff meeting, according to Woodward. “You walk around this place and act like you’re in charge, and you’re not. You’re on staff!”